NEET Counselling: The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is expected to begin the NEET UG Counselling 2026 process shortly after the declaration of the NEET UG results. Candidates who qualify for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) will be eligible to participate in the counselling process for admission to MBBS, BDS, BSc Nursing, AYUSH, and other undergraduate medical courses offered by government, private, deemed, central, and AIIMS institutions across India. The counselling process will be conducted online through the official MCC portal for 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, while the remaining 85% State Quota seats will be filled by the respective state counselling authorities.
The NEET UG Counselling 2026 is one of the most important stages of the admission process, as it determines seat allocation based on the candidate’s NEET rank, category, reservation, seat availability, and choices filled during counselling. Candidates must complete registration, pay the counselling fee, fill and lock their preferred colleges and courses, and participate in multiple rounds of seat allotment to secure admission. This article provides complete information on the NEET Counselling 2026 schedule, registration process, counselling rounds, seat allotment procedure, eligibility criteria, required documents, reservation policy, and participating colleges.
NEET Counselling 2026: Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) |
| Examination | NEET UG 2026 |
| Courses Offered | MBBS, BDS, BSc Nursing, AYUSH and Other UG Medical Courses |
| Counselling Mode | Online |
| Seats Covered | 15% All India Quota (AIQ) |
| State Quota Seats | 85% (Conducted by State Authorities) |
| Official Website | mcc.nic.in |
| Registration Mode | Online |
| Admission Criteria | NEET UG Rank, Category, Choices Filled & Seat Availability |
| Counselling Rounds | Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Stray Vacancy Round |
NEET Counselling 2026 Schedule
The MCC NEET UG Counselling Schedule 2026 will be announced on the official website. Candidates should complete every stage of counselling within the prescribed timeline to avoid missing admission opportunities.
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Counselling Notification | July 2026 |
| Online Registration Begins | July 2026 |
| Fee Payment | July 2026 |
| Choice Filling & Locking | July–August 2026 |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment Result | August 2026 |
| Reporting to Allotted College | August 2026 |
| Round 2 Registration | August 2026 |
| Round 2 Seat Allotment | September 2026 |
| Round 3 Counselling | September 2026 |
| Stray Vacancy Round | October 2026 |
What is NEET UG Counselling 2026?
NEET UG Counselling 2026 is the online admission process conducted for candidates who qualify the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) and seek admission to undergraduate medical courses across India. Through this counselling process, eligible candidates are allotted seats in various medical and dental institutions based on their NEET rank, category, reservation criteria, seat availability, and the choices filled during counselling.
The counselling process is divided into two categories—All India Quota (AIQ) Counselling and State Quota Counselling. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is responsible for conducting counselling for the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats and admissions to several centrally administered institutions. On the other hand, the respective state counselling authorities conduct admissions for the remaining 85% State Quota seats in government and private colleges within their states.
Also Read: NEET UG Result
NEET Counselling 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy the following eligibility conditions before participating in the counselling process.
- Must have qualified NEET UG 2026.
- Should secure the minimum qualifying percentile prescribed by NTA.
- Must fulfil the age criteria mentioned in the admission guidelines.
- Candidates applying under the State Quota must satisfy the domicile requirements of the respective state.
- Applicants must possess all the educational qualifications specified in the admission brochure.
- Candidates should have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English from a recognized board.
NEET Counselling 2026 Registration Process
Candidates must complete the online registration process through the official MCC website to participate in counselling. Registration is mandatory for every counselling round.
Steps to Register for NEET Counselling 2026
Step 1: Visit the official MCC counselling portal.
Step 2: Click on the UG Medical Counselling Registration 2026 link.
Step 3: Register using your NEET UG Roll Number, Application Number, and other required details.
Step 4: Verify your credentials through OTP or login authentication.
Step 5: Fill in the online application form carefully.
Step 6: Upload the necessary information if required.
Step 7: Pay the counselling registration fee online.
Step 8: Submit the application and save the confirmation page for future reference.
NEET Counselling 2026 Registration Fee
The counselling fee varies depending on the category and the type of institution selected during counselling. Candidates must pay the required registration fee along with the security deposit, which is refundable according to MCC guidelines after completion of the counselling process.
The fee can be paid online using:
- Debit Card
- Credit Card
- Net Banking
- UPI
- Other online payment methods available on the portal
Documents Required for NEET Counselling 2026
Candidates who are allotted a seat through NEET UG Counselling 2026 must report to the allotted institute with all the required original documents and photocopies for verification. Failure to produce the necessary documents within the stipulated time may lead to cancellation of the allotted seat.
The following documents are generally required during the counselling and admission process:
- NEET UG 2026 Admit Card
- NEET UG 2026 Scorecard/Rank Card
- MCC Seat Allotment Letter
- Class 10 Marksheet and Certificate (Date of Birth Proof)
- Class 12 Marksheet and Passing Certificate
- Valid Government-issued Photo ID (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID, etc.)
- Passport-size Photographs (same as uploaded in the application form)
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS), if applicable
- PwD Certificate, if applicable
- Domicile Certificate (for State Quota admissions)
- Migration Certificate (if required by the allotted institute)
NEET Counselling 2026 Rounds
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) conducts the counselling process in multiple rounds to ensure that all available seats are filled efficiently. Candidates can participate in subsequent rounds based on the counselling rules and their admission status.
Round 1
The first round begins with online registration, fee payment, choice filling, and seat allotment. Candidates allotted a seat can either accept and report to the allotted college or participate in the next round, depending on the applicable counselling guidelines.
Round 2
Candidates who did not receive a seat in Round 1 or wish to upgrade their allotted college can participate in the second round. Fresh registration may also be permitted for eligible candidates who did not apply earlier, subject to MCC guidelines.
Round 3 (Mop-Up Round)
The third round is conducted to fill seats that remain vacant after the completion of the first two rounds. Eligible candidates who are not holding a seat or those permitted under the counselling rules can participate in this round.
Stray Vacancy Round
The Stray Vacancy Round is the final stage of NEET UG Counselling. It is conducted to fill the remaining vacant seats in participating institutes after all previous rounds have been completed. Seat allotment in this round is based strictly on merit and availability of seats.
NEET Counselling 2026 Seat Allotment Process
The NEET UG Seat Allotment 2026 is carried out through a computerized system to ensure transparency and fairness. The allotment is prepared after considering multiple factors, including the candidate’s NEET rank, reservation category, preferences filled during counselling, and the availability of seats in participating colleges.
The seat allotment process generally includes the following steps:
- Online registration and payment of the counselling fee.
- Choice filling and locking of preferred colleges and courses.
- Processing of seat allotment based on merit and preferences.
- Publication of the seat allotment result on the official MCC website.
- Downloading the allotment letter.
- Reporting to the allotted institute for document verification and admission.
15% All India Quota (AIQ) vs 85% State Quota
Understanding the difference between All India Quota (AIQ) and State Quota counselling is important for every NEET aspirant.
| Particulars | 15% All India Quota (AIQ) | 85% State Quota |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) | Respective State Counselling Authorities |
| Seat Coverage | 15% Government Medical & Dental College Seats | Remaining Government & State Private Medical College Seats |
| Eligibility | Candidates from across India | Generally restricted to candidates fulfilling the state’s domicile requirements |
| Registration | Through MCC Portal | Through the respective State Counselling Portal |
| Admission Basis | NEET Rank and AIQ Merit | NEET Rank, State Merit List, Reservation Rules |
Participating Institutes in NEET Counselling 2026
Thousands of medical seats across India are filled through NEET UG Counselling every year. The participating institutions include:
- AIIMS Institutions
- JIPMER Campuses
- Government Medical Colleges
- Government Dental Colleges
- Central Universities
- Deemed Universities
- ESIC Medical Colleges
- Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC)
- Private Medical Colleges participating in MCC or State Counselling
- BSc Nursing Institutes under MCC
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- When will NEET UG Counselling 2026 begin?
The NEET UG Counselling 2026 is expected to commence in July 2026, shortly after the declaration of the NEET UG result. The complete counselling schedule, including registration dates, choice filling, seat allotment, and reporting timelines, will be released by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) on its official website.
- Who is eligible to participate in NEET Counselling 2026?
Candidates who have qualified the NEET UG 2026 examination and meet the prescribed eligibility criteria can participate in the counselling process. Admission is granted based on the candidate’s NEET rank, category, reservation policy, eligibility conditions, and seat availability.
- What is the difference between MCC Counselling and State NEET Counselling?
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) conducts counselling for 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, AIIMS, JIPMER, Central Universities, Deemed Universities, ESIC institutions, and other participating colleges. In contrast, the 85% State Quota seats are filled by the respective state counselling authorities according to their admission rules and domicile requirements.
- What documents are required for NEET UG Counselling 2026?
Candidates must carry essential documents such as the NEET UG 2026 Admit Card, NEET Scorecard, MCC Seat Allotment Letter, Class 10 and 12 certificates, valid photo identity proof, passport-size photographs, category certificate (if applicable), domicile certificate (for state quota), and other documents specified by the counselling authority during the admission process.
- How is the NEET UG 2026 seat allotment process conducted?
The NEET UG 2026 seat allotment is carried out through an online computerized system based on factors such as the candidate’s NEET rank, reservation category, preferences filled during choice filling, seat availability, and applicable counselling rules. Candidates allotted a seat must report to the respective institute within the stipulated time to complete the admission formalities.